Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Trade) Share this | Hansard source

The short answer to Senator Patrick's question is no. This subsidy is intended, though, to support businesses to employ additional young Australians, and the additionality is a key element of this. I hear the criticisms of those opposite. The government certainly calls upon all parts of Australian business to do their bit, during these tough times, in terms of investing and helping to create more jobs. That's why we've structured policies like this one—to incentivise them to do just that: to invest, as our tax policies encourage them to do; to grow and create jobs; and, in this case, to target employment opportunities to young Australians. But they are additional employment opportunities, and the credit being provided is to support those new take-ups and jobs that are being created.